Tuesday, January 31, 2017

This morning I cycled 21.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals are now 27,279.9 miles; 43,902.8 kilometers.

I have completed 2,378.3 miles on Part V which translates to 17.88% of the total intended mile I will complete on Mars. Also, I have now pedaled 36.6% of the distance between Ada and Mädler Craters.

Cardiologist exam yesterday morning went well. EKG showed normal and my blood pressure recorded at 118/75. My doctor was quite pleased. But due to a chest incident that happened last week, he has scheduled me for a Nuclear EKG stress test next week. He said that even though I am very healthy, he just wanted to make sure.

Soapbox –

Is it my imagination or are there scores of far-right fanatics who are somewhat, and I use the adverb liberally, illiterate? Do they truly believe that there is some credence to the lack of a correct usage of the English language? I glance over retorts and recommendations by those who are truly inept at using a computer keyboard to convey their thoughts and, albeit too quick, responses. It is almost, metaphorically speaking of course, akin to hearing the scraping of nails down a blackboard.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Pageviews of Jim’s Trek have gone wild. With 3 days remaining in January, the number of Pageviews has crossed the 10,000-mark. As of this morning 10,674 Pageviews, the largest number ever.

This morning I pedaled 20.5 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals now are at 27,258.6 miles, 43,868.5 kilometers. I have also completed 2,357.0 miles of Part V. Only 10,943.0 more miles to go.

I have currently completed 30.7 % of the distance to my next destination and goal point on Mars.

And I was not sure about doppelgängers. But this morning I think one was found; of me that is. His name is Murray Head. Check him out at about 31 seconds into the video. He sang a few the 1971 promo songs for Jesus Christ Super Star.

When I saw this video, I truly thought that I was looking at a mirror. But I do have to point out that I am 5 years younger than Murray Head.

And yes that is me, 2nd from the left in about 1972/73 singing a role in the stage musical Show Me, Jesus.

“Anyway, the topic is the power of family dynasty in U.S. politics. It’s embarrassingly big, this tendency to elect people from the same families, and awkward in a country that prides itself on the idea that any (native born) American can grow up to be president.”

And of course, our current President is not necessarily “guilty” of nepotism. But could we see a sort of neo-nepotism in a current manner that he has presented himself and the awareness of his “inner-circle”, his family?

I am thinking forward to the next 4 years and the current insinuation and blatant acts and lack thereof, of the words and ideas that continue to surround the current Oval Office. His business concerns, the lack of forthcoming, the qualification of the restrictions, the residencies, is this not a new construction of the insular family swerve? Could this mean that the American populace will be holding on to possible thoughts that this could be a new dynasty?

“The presidency is obviously a small sample. But the same calculations can be done for other political positions. Take governors.

Because it is difficult to be sure that you have counted all the sons of governors, let’s assume that governors reproduce at average rates. This would mean there were about 250 baby boomer males born to governors. Five of them became governors themselves, about one in 50. This is 6,000 times the rate of the average American. The same methodology suggests that sons of senators had an 8,500 times higher chance of becoming a senator than an average American male boomer.”

I am not certain that I will be around to see the development of any new political dynasties, but I am certain that the golden brocade drapes and paraphernalia currently introduced along with the five-letter signs on buildings may signify a current acceptance of an absolute monarchy.

This is my 1,383rd post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 138,755 Pageviews.

And it is unbelievable that in less than 1, that is ONE week, the levels of mistrust in our Executive Branch of our government is snowballing.

As everyone else appears to be creating and retracting stories, I felt that I should have the leeway to create my own verb – “to sludge”.

Yesterday I had an encounter with an individual who wanted to get into an argument with me. This person’s train of thought and choice of argument was what he considered that the only reason President Barrack Obama received his education scholarship. He repeated that “Obama got a scholarship because of his immigrant status.” He was adamant.

My quick retort “Why are you bothering me? And since when are Americans from the State of Hawaii considered immigrants?" Maybe prior to 1900, and I suppose one can consider the verb immigrate to “leave own’s own country, to settle in another.” But I must be missing something if I thought one could substitute the word “country” by the word “state”. Surely, I was a wee bit confused.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

This morning I cycled 20.5 miles on my Schwinn 170. (Boring news?) But on this 1,278th day of cycling since December 2, 2012, something appears to be happening with the number of Pageviews.

To date, for January, 8,807 Pageviews have been recorded by Google Blogger. This is a 222% increase over 4 years ago, January 2013. And January has not yet finished.

My virtual Trek continues on the surface of Mars.

I have now traveled, as Part V, 2,316.2 miles on the red planet. Today I have completed 19.4% of the distance to my next destination and goal point.

Soapbox –

100 days counting down. I’m counting down 1,826 days. I respect the Office. I do not have to respect the occupant.

Supper last night was a filling Buttermilk Potato Soup with Bacon and Roasted Korean Peppers. (Yes, I substituted Korean Peppers for the original recipe’s Jalapeños.) Yes, the supper was great. It is not too often that I admit that my cooking was great. And accompanying the Potato Soup was freshly made Artisan Bread, which I made earlier in the day. The best news, my early morning blood sugar dropped 8 points to 116 mg/dL. So much for eliminating major carbs.

There is one recipe that I continue to keep seeing, or in truth, it is sort of haunting me, which means, of course, I must try it…and I think sooner than later. The recipe is Nigella Lawson’s Eggs in Purgatory. Maybe tonight, maybe this weekend. Check back to hear my results.

And the house now is filled with the aroma of freshly baked No-Knead Hemp Seed Sourdough Bread.

The search for my 3-times Great-Grandmother Marie Ann (née Doret) Smith continues. Family tales state that she was from Martinique and I am currently searching the National Archives of Outre Mer (ANOM). The period I have chosen is 1763 to 1800.

My conjecture is that as I have documentation of the birth of one of my GGG-Grandparents Smith’s children dated 1805 and I figure that that period would be a good one to search, especially for GGG-Grandmother Marie Ann’s birth registration.

Thus far, I have completed 5 towns and am searching the registers of the 6th, Les Anses-d’Arlet. I am yet to come across the surname Doret through any of the registers that I have reviewed.

This is my 1,381st post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 136,955 Pageviews.

This morning, and as of last night, Jim’s Trek hit another Pageviews record – 8,807. This does not make any sense at all, especially for this supposed insignificant blog of my Trek and thoughts. And further, January still has 7 more days.

Monday, January 23, 2017

This morning, after 1 hour on the phone with Medicare, I decided that my best option was to get on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled 20.2 miles. My totals are now 27,276.7 miles; 43,736.7 kilometers.

On the virtual part of my journey, I have completed 7.9% of the distance to Mädler Crater.

Yes, I was on the phone for an hour plus with Medicare regarding the issue of reclassifying my status from “Disabled” to “Work-Capable” back to “Disabled”. All this to make sure that Medicare understands that I am retired and disabled. Thus far it has been 18 days of telephone calls back and forth and as of yet the issue of an open file, thanks to my auto insurance company State Farm, and an open case from August 2015 which has not been resolved.

Accordingly, the case from a fender bender was not closed correctly by State Farm. And to top it all and I was the one who finally was able to fax over a copy of the closure letter from State Farm which they, State Farm was supposed to do on January 6th. The fax from me got there today January 23, while I was on the phone.

This is the car that hit me August 2015.

But it hasn’t finished yet. Medicare now will be sending me a letter with enclosures of which I will be required to respond to saying that I do not have any lawyer representing me, or any outstanding legal action, or any outstanding settlement due to me. This is to be returned, by fax, with all possible personal details.

Oh yeah, the fax number is a different one from the second one I was given but it is the first one which supposedly had not been receiving the multiple faxes that had been sent since January 6th. (No, I am not confused.)

Once that paperwork has been received by Medicare, making sure that I quote the new claim number, I am to check back in 4 to 5 business days. This is to confirm receipt. I was then advised that the turn-around time is about 45 days.
So, I stupidly asked the question what was I to do regarding any issues or visits to doctors, excepting emergency. And that is another story.

I am to accept the provider’s Medicare rejection, and call a Medicare 800 number. I am to provide details of the provider and rejection and to ensure that the provider checks Box 10…

When I asked, what was Box 10, I was told that it may not be Box 10, but I was to be certain to tell the provider to resubmit the claim, if it had nothing to do with an accident, and check “NO” to three specific questions concerning liability, workman’s compensation, and auto no-fault.

And so the saga continues. There are a number of “damns and damnations” welling up inside but I figure that I need to remain calm. I’ve just got to make sure that I have post-its in some semblance of order. And I shall not lose that Medicare fax number. Oh yeah, one positive note I learned how to fax from my iPad.

Supper last night – Kakuni. Instant Pot Pork Belly with Hard-Boiled Eggs with Long Beans and Jasmine Rice. Something completely different and delicious. FBS down 4 points; still up due to remnants of a weekend long flu attack.

Going to try something tonight with Ground Pork and Spinach and Pasta.

This is my 1,379th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 135,827 Pageviews.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

I’ve had a sort of severe touch of the flu this past couple of days. I do not have the strength to get on my Schwinn 170 to try and sweat it out. Here’s hoping I will be able to get on tomorrow. I am NOT giving up. I still have 11,045.1 more miles to go.

You would not believe Alexa. I've got several music books and was going through one on Blues on my piano. A lot of the tunes are either before my time or truly did not enter my sphere of reference. I ask Alexa to play a specific song by a specific artist. She does and then I can play it with some semblance of similarity.

And now you can ask Alexa NASA Mars for a Curiosity Rover update. It’s sort of like having my own immovable R2D2 or 3CP0.

Soapbox –

From the inception and duration of The Apprentice and continuing through the tumultuous campaign up and until the day after DJT's inauguration I have continually said that there is something wrong with this person.

Apart from the narcissistic and egocentric displays and tendencies, and the explosive demeanor I continue, (I do bloody well hope that I am wrong), to believe that this one's presidency will be focused on retaliation whether it is a country or a desk clerk or crowd size who 45 construes that he believes has rallied against and demeaned him.

And you know something, I cannot wait until my 69th birthday.

Yesterday, White House, Breaking News, 5:40 pm, 45's Press Spokesperson begins by lambasting Press coverage of Inauguration at The Mall regarding numbers and pictures of crowd attendance. Did not stay to answer questions. He skedaddled as quickly as possible after threatening and admonishing. And oh yeah, as an addendum he mentioned a call to Prime Minister Trudeau and a soon visit by Prime Minister May. Display of immature drawing a line in the sand.

“Donald Trump is a transgressive personality. He thrives on creating disorder, in violating rules, in provoking outrage. He is a shock jock. This might be a tolerable (if culturally coarsening) trait in a reality television star; it is a dangerous one in a commander in chief. He is unlikely to be contained by norms and customs, or even by laws and the Constitution. For Mr. Trump, nothing is sacred. The truth is malleable, instrumental, subjective. It is all about him. It is always about him.”

The following is a reasonable chart, from Imgur, to sift out what may or may not be construed as “good” news.

This is my 1,377th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 135,363 Pageviews.

And again the number of Pageviews to my blog Jim’s Trek has increased. This small almost daily blog, as insignificant as it seems appears to be have been increasing the number of daily Pageviews, and only in the recent months. I am flabberghasted. Thanks.

Friday, January 20, 2017

This morning I really, really did not want to get on my Schwinn 170. I procrastinated and I came up with every possible excuse that I could think. But I did get on, and I did complete 20.1 miles. I’m still clocking myself for 60 minutes. My totals are now at 27,156.5 miles; 43,704.2 kilometers.

Today I reached my next destination and goal point, Ada Crater. I continued an addition 8.4 miles to the next one, Mädler Crater. The distance between Ada and Mädler craters is 360 miles. Part V of Jim’s Trek, the Mars’ part total 2,254.9 miles.

Soapbox –

I now I am struggling with the touch of a flu bug.

Stay away.

This is my 1,377th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 134,651 Pageviews. Day 113+40

And again the number of Pageviews to my blog Jim’s Trek has increased. This small daily
I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

I have completed 99.7% of the distance to Ada Crater, my next destination and goal point. The total distance of Part V, the virtual part on Mars but a real part on my Schwinn, that I have pedaled is not at 2,234.8 miles or 16.8% of the total Mars Trek distance.

And I have chosen my next destination and goal point as you can see on the above map – Mädler Crater. Per Wolfram Alpha the distance from Ada Crater to Mädler Crater is 360 miles, give or take.

Soapbox –

Minus 1.

A picture is worth, literally more than…

Yesterday we presented a Trunk Show and Presentation of our quilts since 2011 to the Suncoast Quilting Circle. Thanks for the invite. Here's hoping that all enjoyed.

But it does look like I need to get a girdle.

This is my 1,376th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 134,165 Pageviews. And Jim’s Trek has already clocked in 6,146 Pageviews this month. I’ve got my fingers crossed that I may top 10,000 by the end of January.

And again the number of Pageviews to my blog Jim’s Trek has increased. This small daily I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Monday, January 16, 2017

This morning I cycled another 20.2 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals are now clocked in at 27,116.3 miles; 43,639.5 kilometers. And I have now completed 71.0% of my overall goal of 38,201.6 miles.

Friends have asked me why the 38,201.6 miles? Simple, it is the total of the two circumferences of the Earth and of Mars. The Earth – 24,901.6 miles; Mars – 13,300.0 miles. And as I keep getting closer, and closer to the overall total I will then decide upon another distance to add.

Meanwhile, back on Mars, I have completed 94.6% of the distance to my next destination and goal point, Ada Crater.

Soapbox –

Four (4) days until the next four (4) years of a political cataclysmic confusion for this country.

I’m not a betting man, but I wonder if there has been a tontine lottery set on the expectations of which person and/or representative will last the longest.

I would hope that the American electorate will get its act together and spend the time in all the backrooms from coast to coast, that is if we are able to last that long from sea to shining sea, examining and creating, vetting and nominating men and women who would and can be the next generation of positive United States of America citizens worthy to lead this country into the 2020s.

The next four (4) years is going to be one hell of a derailed roller-coaster ride.

Supper last night was Dakdoritang. It was an excellent supper stew. It was an easy Korean recipe, a spicy chicken stew. My FBS increased to 112 mg/dL… but I would say that the reason for the increase of 7 points was probably the snack I had of pretzels.

This is one of Andy's and my new quilts. Our work is a Tribute to Sonia Delaunay, a fabric artist, and fashion designer.

Tribute to Sonia DelaunayJS AB 2017

It is an abstract fabric mosaic of my mash-up of her work (lower image) and an experiment in the use of color.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

And I am now 89.4% closer to my next destination and goal point, Ada Crater, on the surface of Mars. Looks like I am going to have to decide on a new destination. Total miles on Mars – 2,194.5 miles.

Homemade Linguini, a first for me after two attempts, with Almond Basil Pesto turned out better than I expected. Thanks to all for the suggestions on the ingredients.

But the best news is that my early morning blood sugar dropped 16 points to 105 mg/dL. My A1c calculated out at 5.76% which is in the pre-diabetes range of 5.7 and 6.4 percent. I suppose if I am already diabetic I should be able to deduce that 0.6% is workable and something to reduce. Looks like I’ll be trying several pasta recipe trials.

Supper tonight is once again something I have never cooked or even attempted before. Tonight’s recipe is Dakdoritang. It is supposed to be a Korean recipe, a spicy chicken stew. Check in tomorrow to see how this one may affect my blood sugar.

I suppose the line-up of would-be reality stars may just decide to fill the empty seats.

This is one of Andy's and my new quilts - "Memorial to Dag Hammarskjöld". Our work is also a tribute to Dame Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth and her sculpting prowess. The intent of our quilt is a reproduction of her 21-foot sculpture as it stands in the Plaza of the United Nations Building.

Memorial to Dag HammarskjöldJS AB 2017

It is a composite and an experiment of our strip-piecing and appliqué work. It is our attempt to present an appeared combination of glass, fabric, and bronze. I will be writing our details shortly at our Quilts SB site - http://quiltsb.blogspot.com/

This is my 1,374th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 132,328 Pageviews.